Paradise Meets Affordability In This "Enchanted Land"
In Indonesia, we recommend you consider the small tropical island of Bali as a place to call home. Bali, dubbed the "Enchanted Land," packs in everything you expect of paradise, from coral reefs to the jungle-clad slopes of mighty mountains complete with tribes of naughty monkeys. Here, amid the most gracious and hospitable of peoples, you can live for as little as US$1,500 a month.
Indonesia is a poor country, and Bali—although better off than most of Indonesia—is no exception. Although most roads on the island are paved, they tend to be busy and poorly maintained outside of tourist areas. Power outages are common, while air conditioning is not. Bali is making progress on its infrastructure, but in the meantime we recommend other locales if reliable internet is a necessity.
One of the most popular areas that foreigners choose to live is Sanur, which is on the west coast of southern Bali. Quiet and low-key, it's attractive to older expats and others who choose not to live near the nightlife of other areas. Rents around Sanur tend to be quite reasonable.
The resort town of Kuta is famous for its wide, sandy beaches and raucous nightlife. Nearby Legian, Sanur and Seminyak also boast fine beaches and attract many foreign retirees from all over the world. Most of Bali's population lives in this general region.
More isolated but still very accessible is laid-back Lovina. Located on a lovely stretch of black-sand beach on the north side of the island, about 100,000 people live in this general vicinity, which actually consists of several small villages strung out along the coast. Dense jungles, remote waterfalls, and a large resident dolphin population draw thousands of visitors to this area every year.
Unfortunately, foreigners are not permitted to buy property in Bali. It is possible buy a place with a long-term lease, but even this can be fraught with difficulties and redtape. Unlike some other foreign countries, such as Thailand, it is even difficult to buy a condominium in Bali. Some legal loopholes do exist that may make it possible for foreigners to own land, such as buying it in the name of a corporation or having it put into the name of an Indonesian citizen. However, we do not recommend property ownership in Indonesia at this time.
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Population
245,613,043 (July 2011 est.)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
$1.03 trillion (2010 est.)
GDP Per Capita
$4,200 (2010 est.)
Inflation Rate
5.1% (2010 est.)
Currency
Rupiah (IDR)
Exchange Rate Versus U.S. Dollar
9,169.5 (2010) Indonesian rupiah (IDR) per US dollar
Language
Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects (of which the most widely spoken is Javanese)
Capital
Jakarta
Population of Capital City
28,020,000 million
Time Zone
UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)note: Indonesia is divided into three time zones
Seasons
tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
International Dialing Code
62
Electricity
127/230 V*, 50 Hz
System of Government
republic
Name and Party Affiliation of Current Leader
President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since 20 October 2004)
Income Tax Rate for Residents
5%-30%
Property Tax
0.5% of the value of the property, higher rates apply to certain high value housing and large estates.
Capital Gains Tax
5%
Inheritance Tax
No
Rental Income Tax
No
Transfer Tax
Applies to financial transaction depending on the amount of the transaction
Sales Tax
10%
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Property
It is against the law for foreigners to own freehold land.Foreigners can also purchase condominiums, as long as they don't own the land on which the condo stands.
Local Chamber of Commerce
http://www.kadin.or.id/
American Chamber of Commerce
http://www.amcham.or.id/
Primary Exports
oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, textiles, rubber
Residency and Visa Requirements
A Indonesia visa is necessary for all U.S. citizens who plan to visit the country. Indonesia has several different visas categorized as Visit Visas. You can either apply for a visa to Indonesia yourself or you can contract a private travel document expediter. I
Special Benefits for Foreign Residents or Retirees
